Reds visit Milwaukee feeling punch-drunk having lost 17 of their last 18 games

Previewing the pitching matchups: Reds vs. Brewers

Tyler Mahle (1-3 6.45 ERA) gets the call in tonight's opener for the Cincinnati Reds. All-Star Brandon Woodruff (2-1 5.30 ERA) will toe the rubber for the Milwaukee Brewers. Like the rest of his teammates, it's been tough sledding so far for the Cincinnati right-hander.

The California native has dropped his last three decisions and has pitched into the sixth inning just once in five opportunities. Expect to see right-handed-hitting Keston Hiura in the lineup tonight for the Beer Makers. Hiura has taken Mahle deep twice in eight plate appearances.

Domination is the first word to come to mind when Brandon Woodruff and the Reds are mentioned in the same sentence. The Milwaukee right-hander has fanned 39 Redlegs in his last 29.1 innings covering five starts. In addition, Woodruff has surrendered just one gopher ball in that period.

Needing a positive outing in the worst way, Vladimir Gutierrez (0-4 7.41 ERA) takes the mound Wednesday night opposing Freddy Peralta (0-1 5.00 ERA). Following another poor showing Sunday, Reiver Sanmartin found his ticket punched for Louisville and he may have company if Gutierrez produces similar results.

Reds RHP Vladimir Gutierrez needs a quality start in the worst way.

Failing to complete five innings in seven consecutive starts, you would have to believe the Cuban right-hander is pitching for his major-league life. Tossing 17 frames in 2022, Gutierrez has issued a staggering 15 free passes. However, he was 2-0 against Milwaukee last year and went at least six innings in all three starts.

Right-hander Freddy Peralta has baffled Reds' hitters over the last three years. Working 28.2 innings, the 26-year-old has whiffed 36 Redlegs and allowed just 14 hits in five outings. Kyle Farmer and Tyler Naquin are a combined 1-for-18 with 10 K's lifetime when facing the Brew Crew starter.

Thursday's matinee series finale features Hunter Greene (1-3 6.00 ERA) on the hill for Cincinnati battling Adrian Houser (2-2 2.53 ERA) for Craig Counsell's club. Throwing strikes has been an issue recently for the Reds' rookie.

Over his last 7.2 frames, the right-hander has issued eight bases on balls. After tossing at least five innings in his first two starts, Greene has failed to reach that plateau in his last two appearances. A positive start on Thursday will do wonders for the mindset of Reds Country.

Adrian Houser has been fantastic in his last two starts. Hurling a dozen innings, he's allowed three runs on only seven hits. However, that means little to Colin Moran. The Cincinnati infielder has pummeled the right-hander going 8-for-12 with two round-trippers in their head-to-head meetings.